According to Portuguese newspaper, Correio da Manha, Sporting Lisbon have slapped a €100m price tag on Chelsea target, Bruno Fernandes.
The Blues are keeping close tabs on the Portuguese international but face competition from Atletico Madrid. The report claims that Chelsea might be in the market for midfield additions next summer with creative star, Eden Hazard expected to leave.
With Cesc Fabregas also out of the side, Maurizio Sarri has forwarded his demands to the Blues hierarchy regarding a replacement. The South West London outfit missed out on Leandro Paredes to Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window while Jorginho continues to struggle in his debut season in England.
Fernandes’ release clause is understood to be massive and the report claims that Sporting are unwilling to negotiate a lower fee. The attacking-midfielder has registered 20 goals this season and has laid out 10 assists in 30 appearances across all competitions.
He has been previously linked with a move away from the Portuguese outfit. Chelsea were interested in the player ever since takes of a dispute within Sporting was revealed last summer due to which several of the club’s top players ended up terminating their contracts.
Sarri is currently under fire for his team’s performances in the Premier League. The 6-0 defeat against Manchester City following the club’s 4-0 loss to AFC Bournemouth has not sat well with either the fans or the club’s ownership.
However, the Italian’s future at the club might not affect the club’s desire to sign Fernandes. He is still only 24 years old and is quickly proving himself to be an able attacking talent in the European top-flight.
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